Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday next weekend
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Dollar General stores and other retailers throughout Coosa County will not charge local or state sales taxes on many back-to-school items next weekend during the state’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Photo by Christa Jennings
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Those preparing for a new school year can take advantage of Alabama’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday next weekend, although the break in sales taxes can benefit all shoppers buying eligible items.
The state enacted the sales tax holiday in 2006, making this the nineteenth annual sales tax holiday for school-related items. It begins at 12:01 a.m. next Friday, July 19, and ends at midnight Sunday, July 21.
The tax holiday gives all shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, books, and clothing free of the state’s 4% sales or use tax.
Municipalities and counties also have the opportunity to provide for the exemption of eligible items from county or municipal sales or use taxes during the same time period and under the same conditions by resolution or ordinance adopted.
All local municipalities opted to participate in the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday this year, with Goodwater, Kellyton, Rockford, and Coosa County all waiving taxes. This means eligible items bought within Coosa County will not be charged state or local sales taxes.
Although the sales tax holiday specifically targets back-to-school shoppers, any consumer can benefit from the savings offered during the weekend. A wide range of items are exempt during the holiday, giving everyone a reason to shop and enjoy some savings.
Exempt items include clothing priced at $100 or less per article of clothing; school supplies valued at $50 or less per item; books that cost $30 or less per book; and tablets, laptops, computers, software, and printers that cost $750 or less each.
However, there are many more items also covered in the sales tax holiday, such as diapers, printer ink, thumb or flash drives, printer paper, notebooks, legal pads, and art supplies.
A full list of eligible and noneligible items is available on the Alabama Department of Revenue’s website.
To help make school supply shopping easier for locals, Coosa County school supply lists will be available at Dollar General stores in the county.
Additionally, Coosa County school buses will be parked at select Dollar General stores in the county for individuals and organizations who would like to donate supplies for local students.
“The sales tax holiday offers parents a way to save on back-to-school needs,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown in a press release. “Saving money for consumers while stimulating sales for stores is what this weekend is all about.”
The association stated that the tax holiday provides shoppers with a way to save money while also supporting their local economies. The Alabama Retail Association encourages shoppers to buy from local retailers by promoting the use of the #ShopAlabama hashtag.
“Shopping with businesses that have a physical presence in your local area keeps businesses open and your neighbors employed,” said Brown.
